Australia coach backs under-fire Smith as opener for series against India
Rubbing salt to the injury, the 34-year-old Smith could only manage 51 runs from four knocks during the recently-completed 2-0 series victory over New Zealand.
In a massive blow to Australia, star and in-form batsman Steve Smith has been ruled out of the third Test match of the ongoing Ashes Series. The third test match is scheduled to be played at Headingley from Thursday onwards.
With only a gap of three days between the second and the third Test match, it was always going to be difficult for Smith to recover in time from a concussion. Cricket Australia have confirmed on Tuesday that Smith will not be available for selection in the third Ashes Test against England which will commence on Thursday as reported by ESPNCricinfo.
Steve Smith hit two centuries in the first Ashes Test and was also looking brilliant in the Second Test too until he was hit on the unprotected part of the neck by a 148 kilometers per hour bouncer from Jofra Archer. Following the incident, he was forced to leave the field.
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Steve Smith was initially declared fit and returned to resume his innings but was eventually dismissed for 92 and was later ruled out of the remainder of the Test since he complained of headache and dizziness on the morning of the last day.
The announcement now suggests that Marnus Labuschagne, who became the first concussion substitute in Test Cricket, may replace Steve in the Playing XI in the third Test.
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